PLA Rocket Force scientist stripped of political advisory post amid China’s corruption crackdown

CPPCC expels missile expert Xiao Longxu as anti-graft campaign continues to zero in on military officials

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Xiao Longxu is the former chief engineer of the PLA Rocket Force’s top research institute. Photo: Weibo/ 八大商人

Published: 7:00pm, 12 Oct 2024

A prominent Chinese missile scientist was expelled from China’s top advisory body on Friday amid an anti-corruption campaign that has taken a heavy toll on the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force.

Xiao Longxu, the former chief engineer of the rocket force’s top research institute and a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was removed as a representative of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), state news agency Xinhua announced on Friday. The report did not give specific reasons for Xiao’s removal from the top political advisory body.

Xiao, 62, is an expert in missile weapon control theory and engineering and has received multiple awards for his contributions to scientific research and innovation.

The decision to expel Xiao was made during a session of the Standing Committee of the CPPCC National Committee, which concluded on Friday.

The rocket force oversees China’s nuclear arsenal and was established in 2015 as part of President Xi Jinping’s military reforms. It has been the focal point of an anti-corruption campaign targeting the military since last year.

Xiao’s expulsion follows the downfall of at least eight other former or serving senior rocket force officials.

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